Yang Ying was not pleased with Kussen's policies, but the combined force of Boss and Lehai presented pressure that could not be underestimated.

However, Kussen was one of the vital stepping stones for the Trand Mercenary Group to gain influence in the asteroid belt, and Yang Ying was unwilling to abandon it so quickly. Moreover, the agreement between the Trand Mercenary Group and the Kussen Corps had already been signed, promising them a series of future benefits in Kussen; they certainly couldn't just watch Kussen get swallowed whole by pirates.

As for Boss and Lehai, they were irrelevant to Yang Ying; there was no existing connection of mutual interest between them. Even if both cities turned to cosmic dust by the next day, it would be none of Yang Ying's concern.

By both propriety and logic, Yang Ying had to devise a proper plan for Kussen.

“Commander Yang, you now understand the predicament Kussen faces. As an ally, what kind of support can you offer us?” When Christina spoke, she tried to read something from Yang Ying’s face, but Yang Ying never betrayed his inner thoughts, leaving her with nothing and causing her some disappointment.

Yang Ying awoke from his contemplation. “We share a common interest here, which far outweighs a mere verbal agreement. As long as that common interest persists, we will naturally provide all the support within our means.”

“Aren't you afraid of provoking Boss?” Christina looked at Yang Ying with a half-smile.

Yang Ying scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. “What can Boss really offer us? Adding icing to the cake is nothing compared to sending charcoal in snowy weather. If we miss out on Kussen, we’ll have to wait for the next city in crisis. We’d have to re-establish ties and deal with their problems all over again. It’s far easier to resolve Kussen's crisis right here, right now.”

“I don't understand why you must choose a city in crisis? Why not choose a normal, stable city?” Christina asked, puzzled.

“Your suspicion remains as strong as ever!” Yang Ying remarked with a sigh.

“I’m used to it; perhaps it’s just my nature,” Christina replied, her expression unchanged, fixing him with a scrutinizing gaze.

She placed immense value on the Trand Mercenary Group as an ally, and Kussen was currently at a critical juncture. All factors had to be weighed, and Yang Ying’s motives had become her obsession. She needed his answer to ease her anxiety.

Yang Ying nodded, holding up a hand to gesture. “The distribution of benefits in normal cities is already settled and balanced; they naturally reject outsiders. How could they offer us core interests for genuine cooperation? Scraps won't satisfy my appetite. It’s better to find a partner already in crisis than to spend significant time and energy suppressing a partner after cooperation begins. Less effort, faster results. That is my consideration.”

Yang Ying’s words put Christina at ease considerably. A smile finally blossomed on her beautiful face. “It seems you are fully confident in helping Kussen overcome this difficulty.”

“Fully confident, I wouldn't dare say; perhaps eight-tenths confidence. One must remain humble,” Yang Ying joked to lighten the mood.

“Really?! If that’s the case, I’d love to hear your plan.”

Christina felt a surge of elation deep within her heart. The pressure from the other two cities had been crushing her lately. Hearing that Yang Ying had "eight-tenths" confidence made her heart quicken.

Yang Ying straightened his back, leaning slightly forward. He grew serious. “The current issue is: who does Kussen intend to sacrifice? Boss and Lehai require different countermeasures.”

“Boss!” Christina blurted out without a second thought. The enmity between Kussen and Boss was deeper than Yang Ying had anticipated.

“Then we need two moves: first, weaken Boss, and second, court Lehai.”

Yang Ying also leaned toward sacrificing Boss. The slight he received at the port that morning had given him a very poor first impression of the Boss faction. While there was no need to dwell on such petty individuals constantly, when someone was standing on a precipice, Yang Ying wouldn't mind giving them a shove.

Someone like Marier was clearly vengeful. To avoid him stirring up his uncle, Colonel Kant, to seek retribution, this was the perfect opportunity to eliminate Colonel Kant as well.

Once Boss was thrown into the pirate faction, the Boss Guard would have to be disbanded or relocated. Even if they successfully relocated, having lost Boss’s foundation, they wouldn't even be able to afford the routine maintenance funds for their large warships. Their only recourse would be to auction off some of their vessels and downsize into a medium-sized mercenary group. At that point, regardless of whether Colonel Kant harbored any desire for revenge for his nephew, he would be a toothless tiger, no longer a threat.

In fact, before setting out, the General Staff had analyzed several potential scenarios and drafted a few reference plans. Although insufficient intelligence meant many aspects of these reference plans would need adjustment in actual application, having a plan was infinitely better than having none. After all, time was pressing; the meeting was scheduled for tomorrow, and some actions needed to be completed before then—every second was precious.

Yang Ying had reviewed the reference plans during the two-day journey from the base to Boss, which is why he could devise countermeasures in such a short conversation.

Just as Yang Ying was about to share the plan with Christina, a flash of white light suddenly streaked across the sky outside the window, immediately followed by a thunderous roar that echoed across the entire city.

“What was that? An explosion?”

Yang Ying immediately stood up and rushed to the window to look out. The streets below were still bustling, and the pedestrians showed no signs of panic, seeming utterly accustomed to the event. Most simply looked up at the sky for a moment before taking umbrellas from their persons and opening them. The sides of the main street bloomed like a cluster of colorful flowers.

“Thunder, rain. Haven't you ever seen this in a space city, Commander Yang? Did you think the terrorists were back in business?” Christina teased him in a lighthearted tone, as if observing a rare species.

Yang Ying turned around to see a mischievous smile playing on Christina’s lips as she watched him.

Seconds later, a single thread of rain struck the windowpane. Then another, and soon a steady drizzle was pattering against the glass. Rain had begun to fall over Boss City.

“Miss Christina, the tea is getting cold. Why don’t we get fresh cups and then continue our discussion?” Yang Ying countered, using the tactic of piquing her curiosity to strike back.

Katerina understood Yang Ying’s intention, smiled faintly, and slowly began collecting the teacups, preparing to rebrew.

Seeing this, Christina immediately became anxious. She had spent days agonizing over how to deal with the alliance of Boss and Lehai. Now that Yang Ying had a solution, it felt like an itch she couldn't scratch. How could she possibly wait?

“Please forgive my presumption; I was only joking.” Christina quickly stood up to apologize.

“It’s alright, I was joking too.” Yang Ying gave Katerina a look, and Katerina sat back down as if nothing had happened.

Yang Ying then glanced out the window again. “It’s just that the timing of this rain is rather inconvenient; it’s introduced some complications to my plan. I’m afraid some parts will need adjusting.”

I’ve been thinking about increasing the update speed recently. Fellow readers, please give me your votes for strength!